Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ The Gift ❯ The Gift ( Chapter 1 )

The Gift by Kaialicious

Disclaimer: I make no profit from the characters of The Pet Shop of Horrors. They do not belong to me.

Warnings: This story contains the suggestion of a Yaoi relationship. It is rated R.

Author's Note: This is my first attempt at a D/Leon story, so let me know what you think.

*****

The human was late, but that was to be expected. His profession made his life unpredictable. That was one reason why the count was so attracted to the young detective. The human lived his life on the edge, constantly in a state of danger. One could say that he took pleasure in dodging bullets and dueling with his fists. An unpleasant thought, really.

The count did not enjoy seeing bruises on the face of his mortal friend. He wished that Leon could leave his dangerous occupation and settle for a less hazardous career. D had been hinting to him about becoming his personal assistant, but alas, Leon seemed to think that D's suggestions were a joke.

"Your personal assistant, huh?" his handsome face had brightened with a smile. "That's a new one. Is that what they're calling it these days?"

"I'm serious," D insisted. "You could help me watch the shop."

"You watch the shop just fine all by yourself."

Yes, all by myself.

D sighed and pulled an ancient scroll from a wooden cabinet. The scroll was one of many -a diary of sorts that he had kept since he was a child. This particular one contained sketches of his family and friends. He often pulled out the scroll when he felt melancholy. It cheered him up to see the images of people who he had loved so long ago.

D made a mental note to create a new diary and to add Leon's picture to the journal.

Ah, Leon…

The bell above the door announced another customer. D was drawn from his daydream of the blond haired detective. He went numb with shock as he noticed the tall, familiar looking male that greeted him with a smile.

"Hello, beloved. I have returned to you."

*****

Leon placed the large parcel under his arm and carried the box of sweets in his right hand. He was actually looking forward to seeing the count. It had been so long since he had had an opportunity to check up on him. Oh yes, he had sent Jill in his place to make sure that D was doing all right when he was too busy to do so, but Leon had come to think of D as his responsibility. Of course, he would never admit that to anyone. He wasn't that crazy. It was bad enough that he was losing sleep over the count's intimate suggestions to him. He even dreamed of having the delicate male in his embrace. He would wake up, drenched in sweat and as hard as a tree trunk.

Leon gathered that he needed to get laid, and fast. In fact, it was on his list of priorities for the weekend, but first, he had to see D.

He was soon before the shop. He entered it and found the front room empty. The cages were all covered with silk to keep the animals quiet.

Leon had often warned D about leaving the front door unlocked while he was in the back room. The count could be quite naïve at times.

Leon headed for the back room and hesitated when he heard voices coming from the area. He recognized the count's soft lilting tone. The other voice was more masculine, but tender, as if the owner of it was deliberately trying to be seductive.

Leon peered in on the count and his visitor.

D was having tea with a tall, lean male. The guest was dressed all in black. An earring in the shape of a dagger graced his left ear. His hair was long and gray, reaching past his shoulders to his slim waist. His eyes were the color of amethyst. A red snake was tattooed on his neck. It disappeared beneath the neckline of his black satin shirt. He moved gracefully, like a cat, and Leon realized that both he and D looked quite good together. They seemed to be comfortable in each other's company…too comfortable.

What…who is that guy?

The stranger suddenly stood and placed a kiss on the count's cheek. D blushed and muttered something to him in Chinese. The stranger replied to him in the same dialect to Leon's consternation.

Finally, D noticed Leon's presence and smiled at him. "Ah, detective, it is so good to see you."

Is it? Leon thought, his eyes still taking in the mysterious man.

"A new customer, D?" he asked.

D's face flushed. "Oh, no. This is Li. He is a very old friend of mine. Li, this is detective Leon, the nice gentleman that I was telling you about."

Nice gentleman? I'm not that nice, D, nor am I a gentleman.

Li faced Leon and bowed deeply at the waist, his long hair falling forward in a curtain to shield his face.

"I thank you for watching over D detective," he said in a deep voice thick with his pleasant sounding Chinese accent. "Now that I am here, he no longer needs your protection."

"Who the hell are you?" Leon heard himself asking. "Forget the introductions. I mean who are you really?"

Li straightened and glared at Leon. D placed a delicate hand on Li's arm and asked, "Would you like some more tea Li?"

Li's temper vanished in an instant. He placed his hand over D's and nodded.

D turned to Leon.

"No, I don't want any damn tea!" Leon's outburst caused the creatures in the shop to stir and raise their own protests.

D quickly calmed them down with a few words in Chinese, and then said to Leon, "Your voice detective."

Li lifted a brow at D's admonishment of Leon. Leon could tell that he was amused. He decided right off that he didn't like the count's so called friend.

"My count," Li addressed D and leaned down to whisper something into his ear.

D gave a nod and released his hold on him. Li kissed D's forehead and sent Leon a less than savory look. "It was…nice to meet you, detective Leon."

"I wish that I could say the same," Leon replied.

Li bowed to him and then to D and took his leave of them.

"Where is he going?"

"To get his things," D answered.

Leon pondered this, and then recalled something that D had told him.

"Is he your new personal assistant?"

D looked confused.

"Where did you find this guy? He looks like he's committed a felony or two in his lifetime."

"I have known Li all of my life. He is very dear to me."

"Oh, I see."

D laughed. "He is my former bodyguard, detective, nothing more."

The relief that flooded him left him speechless. His jealousy had been all for naught. And yes, he thought, it was jealousy that I was feeling. How bizarre.

"How long is he staying in town and more importantly, where is he staying?"

"He is my guest, if that is what you are asking."

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"When is he leaving?"

D saw the package that Leon was carrying and smiled. "Is that for me?"

Leon handed it to him and watched as he opened up the package.

Leon had bought him an assortment of small cakes.

"Thank you, Leon. Li and I will enjoy these."

Leon muttered a curse under his breath. "Here," he shoved the other package at the count and took his customary seat. He rifled through his pocket for a cigarette and rudely lit it up in the count's den.

D set the second package down on a nearby table and put the cakes away for later.

"You are so generous, Leon."

Leon grumbled a reply.

D handed him a jade ashtray. Leon looked at it for a moment then took it from him. It seemed such a waste to make an ashtray out of jade. Leon ground out his cigarette any way and stared at the count. He was wearing a light blue cheongsam today. He looked more beautiful than usual. Perhaps his friend's arrival had brought out this great change in him.

"Are you going to open it?" Leon asked.

D carefully removed the wrap on the package, neatly folding the wrapping paper before he opened up the ivory colored box. His eyes brightened as he saw its contents. A golden cheongsam. The fabric was embroidered with ivory and black dragons. The frog closures were of ivory, and the pants -made of silk, were also of the same golden color.

"Leon," he whispered.

The blond detective could not help but smile at the count's surprise.

"Leon…you shouldn't have. It must have cost you a fortune."

"Yeah, well, someone owed me a favor, so don't think that I made myself a pauper over you."

D ran his fingers over the dragons and said, "It's beautiful."

Leon watched the expression of delight on D's face and thought, Yes; it is almost as beautiful as you are.

The thought made him stiffen. Where did that come from?

"I'll wear it tonight at dinner."

"Dinner?" Leon reached for another cigarette.

"Li and I are going out to dinner," the count explained. "I haven't seen him in such a long time. He is almost family, you know."

"Really? How interesting," Leon said dryly.

"He comes from a noble line, very ancient," D continued. "It is believed that his family is the direct descendants of dragons. Of course, that is the dominant belief of everyone where we are from but Li's family actually has records of his bloodline."

"Are you kidding me?"

"I kid you not, detective."

"Humph." Leon took a long drag on his cigarette.

D made a little cough of discomfort. Leon ground out the cigarette and said, "Tell me more about this Li."

D studied him for a moment then asked, "Why are you angry?"

"I'm not."

"Did you have a bad day at work?"

"No."

"How is Jill?"

"As annoying as usual."

D kept staring at him with his odd colored eyes. Leon, irritated by his obvious concern, stood up and told him, "Look, I have to go."

"So soon?" D sounded crestfallen.

"Yeah, I just remembered that I have to pick up something from the office," he lied.

"Well, goodbye, detective. I hope that I see you again."

Don't count on it count.

Leon quickly left the store. Outside, he took a deep breath and stuck his hands in his pockets. Who was he fooling? There was no way that he was going to abandon D -especially not to some Chinese Adonis like Li.

The line had been drawn in the sand and Leon intended to cross it one way or the other.

*****

There it is. If I get great reviews, I may continue it. If I don't, well…